Ascensia Contour Glucose Meter
The Contour TS Glucose Meter Review
The Contour TS glucose meter is part of the Ascensia Contour glucose meter family of products. For the Contour TS model, the "TS" stands for "Total Simplicity."
All of the Ascensia products are now made and marketed by Bayer HealthCare.
The Contour TS is very similar to the Contour model, except it does not come with the "Advanced Mode" which offers additional functionality and features.
With the Contour TS, if you are looking for the most simple and easy to use meter, you may have found what you're looking for.
Contour TS Glucose Meter Advantages
- No Coding Technology. Others have this technology, but this one is "Total Simplicity" so it has it too.
- Ease of Use Features. Auto Shut off (when you forget to shut it off), alarms (when you make a mistake), large display (when you need a little extra help reading),
different colored test strip port (when you need that little extra help seeing small things), larger buttons (when you...you get the picture).
- Alternative Site Testing. When your finger hurts, it is nice to be able to test your palm or forearm
.
Contour TS Disadvantages
The meter does lack advanced features. We know this is the whole point of "Total Simplicity" but if you are looking for advanced programming options, this is
not the meter for you. The memory only holds 250 tests. Also, the meter can be a little hard to get. It is only available through authorized mail order companies.
In 2007, there was a recall on the Contour TS test strips, due to faulty readings (returned higher levels than actual). This issue has since been resolved.
Test Strips
The Contour TS uses, surprise, only Contour TS test strips. To Compare the BEST prices on strips, check out
our Diabetic Test Strip Price Comparison page.
Ascensia Contour Glucose Meter - Bottom Line
Look, if you want a simple meter, The Contour TS is as good as any on the market today. The test strips prices are generally in line with competitors. People who
do not like, or are confused, by all of the advanced features of other units will fall in love with this meter.
Ascensia Contour Glucose Meter - Other Considerations
As mentioned in other Bayer glucose meter product reviews on this site, we generally found the support materials to be lacking, particularly if you were looking for
specific technical information about any given glucose meter.
Bayer does offer 24/7 product support that was helpful in answering questions, but sometimes you just
want to find the answers yourself.
The Bayer Easy Care program is good, but not best in class when it comes to company sponsored diabetes management resources. However, the tools to track your
nutrition and exercise programs are neat.
With all Ascencia Contour glucose meter products, the company also offers free downloadable software called GlucoFacts to help manage your blood sugar levels. The data cable must be purchased separately.
Contour TS Glucose Meter Technical Information
|
Model
|
Ascensia Contour TS
|
|
Auto. Shut Off
|
3 minutes
|
|
Battery Type
|
One CR2032
|
|
Battery Life
|
1,000 Tests
|
|
Alternative Site Testing
|
Yes
|
|
Memory Capacity
|
250 Tests
|
|
Storage Temp.
|
NA
|
|
Operating Temp.
|
41 to 113 F
|
|
Result Range
|
10 to 600 mg/dL
|
|
Sample Size
|
0.6 microliter
|
|
Test Time
|
8 seconds
|
|
Weight (battery)
|
2 oz. (yes)
|
|
Size (Inches)
|
2.8 x 2.35 x 0.77
|
|
Backlit Display
|
No
|
|
Warranty
|
5 Years
|
|
Coding Required
|
No
|
|
Software Available
|
Yes
|
|
